It's been a nailbiting few weeks but beam queen Jenni Pinches’ wait is over – and she will be representing Great Britain in the London Olympics.

The 18-year-old gymnast played an integral role in the British team’s qualification for the home Games, but the former King’s School pupil’s own place in the squad was in the balance.

But after success in the British Championships in June – the third trial competition for Team GB selection – Jenni learned this week that she is in the five-strong squad to start their bid for glory at the end of the month.

"I can’t say I was expecting to be selected at all," confessed the London-bound star. "The team is so big and there are so many who could have been selected so I’m really pleased.

"The first two trials didn’t go well for me, I wasn’t at my best.

"I’d had a couple of minor injuries, I’d twisted my ankle and I managed to stamp on my own foot and rip my nail off, so it wasn’t looking good."

But it all came good for Jenni at the third and final trial, the British Championships held over two days at Liverpool’s Echo Arena at the end of last month.

Jenni secured second place in the vault and rubber-stamped her spot by winning the beam on both days.

"Obviously that went really well and I’m over those minor injuries and I’m really excited about it now," she said.

"The qualification day comes just after the opening ceremony and if we’re going to earn a place in the team final, which is on the Tuesday, we’ll need to put in a really good performance.

"We’re confident though, four out of the five in our team train together in Liverpool, so the coaches there must know what they’re doing!"

The team certainly boasts some star quality, led by three-time world champion Beth Tweddle. Also in the squad are British champion Rebecca Tunney (at 15, the youngest member of Team GB), European bronze medallist on the beam Hannah Whelan and Imogen Cairns, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

And as far as the other competing nations go, who does Jenni feel will offer the greatest challenge for the medals?

"Realistically the USA, Russia, Romania and China are the countries who’ll be vying for the top spots," she revealed.

"And we’ll be watching Italy very closely too – they narrowly beat us in the European Championships so we want to get one over on them!